Programs

The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation operates two programs that enhance the well-being of families. The Care to Share program serves low-income and medically fragile children and their families. The CommuniCare program was established to promote youth philanthropy within the community.

Care to Share

This anonymous program recognizes that many families need help while dealing with a child or family member that has been recently diagnosed with an acute or chronic medical condition. Care to Share was established in collaboration with OHSU in 1997 to assist low-income and non-insured families that do not have the resources available to provide basic care and medical needs for their family. Since inception, approximately 2,700 families in need have been helped anonymously by the CARE Foundation with over $2.7 million in medical and dental care, which includes special medical equipment and family needs such as snow tires, helping with gas or utility bills. The families are never told who is providing the help, but knowing someone cares and wants to ease the stress can mean the world when facing medical challenges with a child.

A local story about Chrissy Steltz is one such case of The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation stepping in to help where it is needed. Chrissy’s face was destroyed by a random gunshot in 1999 and Oregon’s Medicaid Plan would not cover a facial prosthesis because it was viewed as primarily cosmetic. When this was brought to the Foundation’s knowledge, they immediately paid the difference so that Chrissy could “look like a regular person again” to her child.

Click below to read the full stories:

The Foundation does not exercise any control over the professional care and judgment of the doctors selected for medical care.

CommuniCare

The CARE Foundation believes there should be an opportunity for young people to create change. CommuniCare was established in 1997, in collaboration with high schools and nonprofit organizations to provide an opportunity for teens to learn about the needs of their community through grant making, thus promoting a long-term understanding of philanthropy ethic of volunteerism. By challenging students to engage in community service that is both rewarding and educational, we hope to encourage them to become active adult citizens in their communities.

Over its 26-year history, groups of high school students involving over 6,400 youth have awarded over $4.1 million in grants. Students have granted to 423 nonprofit organizations serving their local communities in areas of health and human services, the environment, education and youth services.